"My father could sew a suit from scratch," Big Chief Darryl Montana said.

Darryl Montana is the son of Big Chief Allison Montana, one of the most well-known Mardi Gras Indians.

The younger Montana grew up watching his mother and father spend countless hours sitting around the kitchen table sewing and creating elaborate Indian suits in honor of Native Americans who helped African slaves escape to freedom.

"Dressing on Mardi Gras Day was like Christmas. The very first time I got a chance to see what they were working on, I said, 'I want to do that. I want to do that.' He wouldn't let me do it," Darryl Montana said.

Determined to learn, Darryl Montana closely watched his father and spent his allowance on supplies, teaching himself over time how to create masterpieces worn for Mardi Gras, St. Joseph's and Lagnappe Super Sunday.

"This is how Super Sunday got started. It would give folks who didn't get a chance to see the Indians' Mardi Gras Day to come out on Super Sunday, and they can see everybody," Darryl Montana said.

In 2005, at the age of 82, Allison Montana, known as the chief of chiefs, suffered a heart attack inside the City Council chambers after leading his tribe for 52 years.

In his honor, the city proclaimed Carnival as Big Chief Allison "Tootie" Montana Season.

"I kind of feel like he's gotten his wings, you know, because he made that sacrifice," Darryl Montana said.

It's a family tradition admired by millions -- an art, a culture, a special connection.

"I never knew that something that I was taught as a child, that I would still be involved with all 50 years. Once you're in it, you're in it," Darryl Montana said.

Darryl Montana has taught thousands of kids to bead suits over the years. Plans are in the works for an institute in his father's name in Treme.